Donald Graham Moore

Donald Graham Moore was 86 years old when he passed away Tuesday, June 10, 2025. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Paul Moore and Emily Graham, Don grew up in a musical environment. His mother Emily was an operatic singer who trained with Marian Anderson’s coach. Inspired by Paul Chambers’ tone and feel on Miles Davis’ “Cookin’”, Don took up the double bass as a teenager, and soon found himself working as a professional musician, honing his skills with his Philadelphia peers, Lee Morgan, Kenny Barron, Reggie Workman and the Heath Brothers, among others. After graduating from Simon Gratz High School, Don toured Europe with Archie Shepp and other prominent jazz musicians, while making New York City his home base. He was a core member of The New York Contemporary Five and shared the bandstand with many of the greats, including John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Jackie McLean, Joe Henderson, and Grant Green.

Don’s commitment to justice, community and the well-being of people, ran as deep as his love for music. Alongside his work as a musician, he pursued a career in social work, engaging in grassroots community organizing and eventually earning a Master’s in Social Work from Stony Brook University. He went on to have a long and fulfilling career as a clinical social worker, all while continuing to perform regularly throughout the New York and New Jersey area.

Donald is survived by his wife Lea Kobayashi-Moore, a daughter Indra Rios-Moore and her husband Benjamin, a son Ryan Begel and a step daughter Zina Smalls. He was predeceased by his brothers Paul Moore and Leonard Moore. He is also survived by his niece, Genevieve Williams; his grandson, Paulo; and many loving friends and musical associates.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial gathering on Tuesday, June 17th from 5 pm to 8 pm at the Boulevard Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 1151 River Road, New Milford, NJ 07646. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in his memory to the hospice Villa Marie Claire at https://www.villamarieclaire.org/ or the Jazz Foundation of America http://www.jazzfoundation.org

The Five Buddhist Remembrances

I am of the nature to grow old.
There is no way to escape growing old.
I am of the nature to have ill health.
There is no way to escape ill health.
I am of the nature to die.
There is no way to escape death.
All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change.
There is no way to escape being separated from them.
My actions are my only true belongings.
I cannot escape the consequences of my actions.
My actions are the ground upon which I stand.

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